News & Multimedia

Marquez Paces Opening Day At Red Bull Indianapolis GP

August 16, 2013 | By Paul Kelly

World Championship points leader Marc Marquez of Spain led MotoGP practice for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Friday, Aug. 16, turning a top lap of 1 minute, 39.502 seconds on his Repsol Honda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I have a fast bike,” Marquez said. “I thought the practice today was good. It was not so fast in the morning, but we had a good second practice. We have some work to do to make it faster on other parts of the circuit, and that's what we are working on.”

Defending Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Dani Pedrosa of Spain was second quickest at 1:39.582 on his Repsol Honda, with Stefan Bradl of Germany third at 1:39.681 on the LCR Honda.

During the second of two MotoGP practice sessions, Bradl set the fastest motorcycle trap speed ever at IMS of 209.1 mph (336.5 km/h). The previous fastest was 208.6 mph (335.7 km/h) by Pedrosa in 2012. The speed trap is located just past the start-finish line on the main straightaway at IMS.

“All the Honda bikes are really fast,” Bradl said. “Obviously, I had a good exit off the last corner so I was able to use the top speed. That’s pretty fast, I would say. Indy has a long straight, and even the first corner is fast, so you don’t have to brake too early. I’m happy with that (speed).”

American riders on track today included Nicky Hayden, who ended up ninth at 1:40.433 on his Ducati, Ben Spies 13th at 1:41.145 on his Ignite Pramac Racing Ducati and Colin Edwards 16th at 1:41.588 on his NGM Mobile Forward Racing FTR Kawasaki. American wild-card rider Blake Young was 25th in 1:45.590 on his Attack Performance Racing bike.

Simone Corsi of Italy led Moto2 practice at 1:43.683 on his NGM Mobile Racing Speed Up bike. Maverick Vinales, from Spain, paced Moto3 practice at 1:48.502 on his Team Calvo KTM.

Steve Rapp, from Manhattan Beach, Calif., won the pole for the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series race Saturday with a lap of 1:55.495 on his Aerostar Global Suburban Harley-Davidson.

Shane Turpin was quickest in the FIM eRoadRacing World Cup electric motorcycle series practice with a top lap of 1:57.574 on his Icon Brammo Empulse RR.

Moto3 qualifying is set for 12:35-1:15 p.m., followed by the first MotoGP qualifying session from 1:30-2 p.m. and the second session from 2:35-2:50 p.m. Moto2 qualifying will take place from 3:05-3:50 p.m.

The first AMA Pro Vance & Hines Series race is scheduled for 4:20 p.m., with riders competing for 10 laps. eRoadRacing World Cup qualifying will take place from 5-5:20 p.m.

Now Viewing

Marquez Paces Opening Day At Red Bull Indianapolis GP

August 16, 2013 | By Paul Kelly
World Championship points leader Marc Marquez of Spain led MotoGP practice for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Friday, Aug. 16, turning a top lap of 1 minute, 39.502 seconds on his Repsol Honda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Related Media

Marquez Finishes Ahead of Riders After Second Sepang Test

February 25, 2015 | By MotoGP
Repsol Honda will be delighted by the way Marquez, whose first day was ruined by a brake problem, responded to dominate the last two days. For the Spaniard, his main focus was on evaluating different chassis types, and tweaking the set ups on each to find the one he prefers.

February 11, 2015 | By Tom Surber
The last two MotoGP seasons have ended with two major questions looming over the sport: Who could provide serious competition in the future for reigning World Champion Marc Marquez, and could the individual who provides the strongest challenge to him this season be the greatest rider the sport has ever known?

December 02, 2014 | By IMS
Vinales and Miller will be on the grid at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 9, 2015, for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, battling defending race champion and two-time defending World Champion Marc Marquez, of the Repsol Honda team.

November 19, 2014 | By IMS
The CICOA Meals & More program works to combat that, providing 2,000 meals every weekday in clients’ homes and at 27 Central Indiana meal sites. And on Wednesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, CICOA served its 18 millionth meal to a senior guest.